POPE HIGH SCHOOL'S 7TH ANNUAL RALLY FOUNDATION 4 QUARTERS 4 RESEARCH FOOTBALL GAME

 The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (Rally) will partner with Pope High School for a seventh straight year for the Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research change collection fundraiser taking place Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The Pope High School community has raised $70,000 since the annual fundraiser was initiated in 2005, and they plan to raise an additional $15,000 this year to benefit Rally.

 The pre-game ceremony is set to kick off at 7 p.m., where Rally families in attendance will be recognized. Jenna Rohrbach, sister of Rally Kid Alexa, will sing the national anthem. In addition to collecting change, Rally volunteers will sell t-shirts for $10. Peggy Hatcher and Sara Childers will serve as co-chairs for the event.

 The Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research concept began in Georgia in 2005 when the Pope High School community collected quarters during a home football game in honor of Pope High School football player Matt Hobby, who was battling cancer. The success of that event led to a Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research statewide campaign during the 2006-2007 school year, which raised more than $40,000 for Rally. The tradition has expanded each year to include elementary and middle schools, as well as businesses and community groups collecting change.

“It’s been so exciting to see this simple grassroots campaign flourish over the years and spread across state lines,” said Dean Crowe, Rally Founder and CEO. “The Pope High School community has played a huge role in raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. I know that Matt is so proud of all that Pope has done to help find better treatments and cures for kids with cancer.”

 During its first season, Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research was endorsed by Georgia High School Association Executive Director Ralph Swearngin, University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt, former NFL head coach Sam Wyche, Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Georgia State Senate. In 2006, the Georgia State Senate issued a statewide resolution making the second week in September “4 Quarters for Childhood Cancer Research Week,” and Perdue issued a statewide proclamation making the third week of September “Rally for Childhood Cancer Research Week.” The theme for this year’s Pope High School event is “Battling Cancer is our HOBBY.” September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

About Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of kids ages 0 to 15. Rally, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, empowers volunteers across the country to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cure. Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research offers a platform for communities to save lives by raising funds for childhood cancer research. Local teams, schools, communities and families have held Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research events in support of Rally’s efforts. Rally received the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, and according to independently audited financials, 93 cents of every dollar raised, supports Rally’s mission.

For more information, visit RallyFoundation.org.